Dennis Herrera, David Chiu aim for lobbyists, permit expeditors

Behind-the-scenes favor-swapping and payment-aided approvals, though, would get a dose of sunshine under a package of reforms being introduced at the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday by City Attorney Dennis Herrera and board President David Chiu.

Developers who shower financial gifts on politically connected nonprofits to ease approvals for their projects would have to disclose any such donations of $5,000 or more. Attorneys who claim they don’t have to register as a lobbyist because of an exemption for lawyers would find that loophole narrowed. Permit expeditors — consultants paid to secure city approvals for building projects — would be required to register with the Ethics Commission and file regular reports about their contacts with city employees.

Chiu and Herrera, who were rivals in the 2011 mayor’s race won by Mayor Ed Lee, are proposing reforming more than 10 different areas of the city’s ethics laws, including expanding the definition of “lobbyist” and placing greater disclosure requirements on them. Details of the proposals are expected to be revealed Tuesday.

Supervisor David Chiu

“This package demonstrates that San Francisco will demand of outside interests nothing less than it demands of itself,” said Herrera, who called the reforms “absolutely” needed.

While the city has some of the most far-reaching good government laws in the country, loopholes and lax enforcement result in many lobbyists failing to disclose extensive talks with city officials, some City Hall insiders say.

“Strengthening our local ethics and lobbying laws,” Chiu said, “will reinforce our public’s confidence that public business is being conducted in an honest and transparent way.”